Found in a Paris fleamarket, this antique heavyweight match striker or pyrogène in porcelain ironstone is a very smart addition to your collection.
 
Originally designed to sit on a bar or bistro, or even in the home, it held matches in the cup to be struck on the ridges.
 
Nowadays this would require non-safety matches, but today matchstrikers are collectible antiques which can be repurposed as (among many uses) posy vases, candle holders and can be used to hold cocktail sticks at a buffet.
 
This is in good condition, with some dark marks in the ridges from use as a match striker, I don't over clean so you can see its history,
 
This pyrogène measures 2.75" tall